An ice cream shop in Tallapoosa has reopened with a twist under new ownership . Scoops Shakes and Smiles, located at 124 Head Ave., has transformed into Beach Teas & Creams, co-owner Kayti McAlister told What Now Atlanta. The City Menus first reported on the rebrand.
McAlister and her husband have been operating Beach Teas for the last two and a half years out of their home and have been searching for a mobile option. However, when the ice cream shop’s former owners decided to sell, the McAlisters decided to buy the shop and merge their tea concept with the existing ice cream shop.
The space features a fun, quirky, beachy atmosphere. The shop changed hands on April 17 and the new ownership flipped the space quickly and reopened on April 22.
The menu still features milkshakes and ice cream but also offers loaded teas. The teas can be upgraded to floats in which customers can add ice cream of their choice to teas instead of ice. The upgraded offering allows customers to maximize creativity in their orders, combining different flavors in unique ways.
“That is where the meld of both worlds comes in together very beautifully,” McAlister said. “Instead of just having ice, you get to have a full-blown experience with ice cream and tea at the same time. You’re getting the health benefits of the tea with that little sweet treat with every sip.”
Eventually, the team hopes to expand Beach Teas & Creams to a few locations across different cities. They are also looking to open a merch shop with beach necessities such as towels, tumblers and waterproof pouches to fall in line with the beach theme of the shop.
“My husband and I are extremely grateful,” McAlister said. “We never thought this would get as big as it’s gotten and it’s changing our lives. It’s giving our kids something they can grow up in and it’s in our hometown. It’s bringing the small back into our small town and trying to keep it community-focused and not so corporate.”
Beach Teas & Creams is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
